The Stranger - 23/08/2022 - Archie’s Extracts
Aug 27, 2022 0:03:48 GMT
Jaezred Vandree, Velania Kalugina, and 2 more like this
Post by Andy D on Aug 27, 2022 0:03:48 GMT
On Old ‘Comrades’ - Mendal Vultan
I am pleased to find my two chums; Mendal and Kavel are much as I remembered and more.
Mendal is the same boisterous, proud craftsman and the most understated cleric I’ve ever met. A lovely fellow! Although, that last part can be vexing. Mendal is happy to answer any and all of my questions about his divine magic. However, his explanations lack depth. For example:
“Moradin just loves craftsmanship of all kinds, so that’s why.” This is not a sufficient explanation on how forge-cleric magic works.
Mendal’s take on why divinely blessed individuals are naturally proficient with healing magic, equally lacks actionable content:
“The healing spells and other good shit come along for the ride. Yes, even forge-clerics get the basic cleric-y shit”.
Actionable Insight into the divine would aid me in my Human Longevity research greatly! Yet the rejuvenating side of Necromancy magic remains mysteriously the domain of clerics - shame.
Still, I must say, it is pleasing to see Mendal is happy with his choice to join Kavel over here in Kantas. While Mendal has yet to get his hands on the magical metals he is driven to work with, he’s made a good start of achieving that dream by coming to this continent.
On Old ‘Comrades’ - Kavel Castiron
I remember the first time I met my young Half-Giant friend. He was a tall, young lad around nine years old, and he saw me (a man in his late twenties at the time) lifting heavy barrels onto a cart. This grey-skinned, expressionless youth walked up to me and introduced himself:
“Sir! I am Kavel Castiron. Can I help you in lifting these heavy barrels, please?”
I looked at the tall youth, and the difference you could see between a human child of equivalent age was astounding. Young Kavel wasn’t just tall for a pre-teen child, his muscles were as developed as a human strong man, and with ease and delight he helped me finish loading the cart. Young Kavel did eighty percent of the heavy lifting - as a mere child.
When I last saw Kavel, the youth had become an adult, and was now frighteningly taller and even better built. Somehow, here on Kantas he has become even bigger still, (strangely hairier too and bear-like even). I am pleased to see my strength-focused friend is achieving his goal of becoming stronger. To think, he feels there are still more gains to be made.
On Meeting Other Adventurers
Say what you will about my strength focused friend, his character insight is most perceptive. I was in the Daring Heights Council reception area in the Town Hall. As soon as I saw the perturbed halfling with a giant wrench, I knew this was Sterling Pan. Thanks to my half-giant chum, I also knew to expect Mr. Pan to wander off on his own as soon as he felt he had all the information he needed for an assignment - and he did.
I do, however, feel my goliath friend understated the level of barbarism I could expect from Miss Beetle.
Kavel did correctly describe Beets’ manner- she’s full of beans! So much so, there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of self-restraint in the girl, as evidenced by the oft poorly timed and intrusive question to friends and strangers alike.
Kavel additionally mentioned not to be fooled by Beet’s stature and liveliness - she was a brutal combatant, which I witnessed. However, ‘brutal’ didn’t even begin to describe it. Beets savagely feasted on one of our foe. When I saw Beets chow down on the twin’s neck with her mandibles, it was like seeing a savage and desperately hungry animal move from mauling to feasting in the same action. Beets was caught up in some kind of ‘frenzied battlerage.’ The poor girl looked terribly ashamed of herself when she regained cognition. The wonderful, tall firbolg, Mr. Fog of the Walking Stone came to her support post battle. I followed suit and helped clean the girl. For Beets, there would be no forgetting the horror of her own savagery whilst she remained soaked in her victim’s blood and gore. I put the Prestidigitation cantrip to good use in cleaning Beets up, and warming up hers and Fog’s waterskins, whilst also flavouring them as tea.
Kavel, I believe, must not know of Damian Vasquez. I had not heard any description that would have suited the tall, Half-Elf soldier. However, I can say with some certainty that Kavel would take a liking to Mr. Vasquez who so clearly values strength much like young Kavel.
On My First Adventure in Kantas
We had all heard different rumours about the stranger camped outside of town. The Gnome man, manning the desk at the Town Hall, Hegnegart I assumed was physically younger than I. However, he looked so fatigued by paperwork.
Young, or maybe old Fog - I’m not certain of his age, he appeared young to me. What I am certain of though was his kindness. It seemed the other adventurers were all familiar with each other. The ‘newbie’ that I was, Mr. Fog did his best to offer guidance and a bit of protection. This was most appreciated.
In a demonstration of ill-considered choices and vocal-urgency, there was a moment where Beets yelled at the person we had come to find. At said moment, we were considering approaching the stranger stealthily.
Asher Samil was the name of our stranger, a fledgling bard who had started up a number of rumours about himself as self-promotion.
We conversed with Asher for some time and even enjoyed a few of his bard tales. If this was how my first adventure ended, I would have had an underwhelming story of an adventure for my Dwarven and Goliath friend.
On My First Combat Experience in Kantas
I was shot at with an arrow! Not once, but twice!
Perhaps my inexperience in combat was on display? Maybe I should have learnt and prepared the Mage Armour spell? I thought the Shield spell would be sufficient, but I was wrong. Perhaps I made a mistake with distancing? I really thought I was out of range, but alas, clearly I was not - and then the bandits’ mage sent me to sleep.
Mendal suggested that, “old, fragile twigs,” like myself, needed to stay in the rear during battle and let the stout folk (like him) act as my shield. Mendal also mentioned he’d look into what type of armour might suit me - armour is his expertise, so I look forward to whatever he discovers, especially as I did not enjoy experiencing stiff wood penetrating my body uninvited! (... the boys laughed rather childishly when I said that indignantly with a lack of awareness at the double-entendre).
Kavel had much to say about a lack of agility and conditioning on my part - he has given me a ‘wizard tailored’ fitness programme, “that even your badly-ageing, human body can handle, for I have designed it so,” he said in his unfeeling yet sympathetic manner. Physical performance is the big man’s domain, so I will follow his programme diligently!
I failed to drag the archer off of his perch on the cliff with my telekinesis - I will have to get better at that.
Maximilian’s Earthen Grasp has been field tested. Full marks for performance!link
On reflection, I made many mistakes in my recent combat. But, I did well in thinking clearly whilst under pressure. I was capable of removing the last of our threats with what us Wizards refer to as an ever-reliable (spell); Fireball. However, fire based spells are not wisely used in forests. So, if I do say so myself, using my Order’s speciality for weaving alterations into spells on the fly, I spliced the fire from the Fireball evocation spell and replaced it with the energy that can be unleashed from my Summon Undead necromancy spell. To my knowledge, this may be the first recording of the ‘Forceball’ spell. All the benefits of Fireball, but none of the drawbacks, for example; setting things alight you did not intend to, and I hear there are a fair number of monsters with resistance to fire.
Fog healed my wounds - again, wonderful fellow.
When all was said and done, we acquired a greatsword, which I hope Mr. Vasquez finds to his liking. I acquired a Greater Healing Potion - I have wondered if learning alchemy and herbalism to make my own concoctions might unravel the puzzle of human longevity a little? Perhaps it’s time to find an instructor?
110gp earned on this adventure - this will make a good contribution towards lining my spellbook with more spells. Good, good! It’s time to find someone who I can copy Mage Armour from!
